Ground paths
By car
Citizens of Belarus and Ukraine can easily travel to Montenegro using their own transport. Entry from Ukraine is possible even without presenting documents. At the same time, for Russians in 2024, the road to Montenegro by car has become extremely difficult due to closed borders with the European Union. Crossing EU borders for Russians is limited, and is possible only in exceptional cases, for example, if the traveler has relatives or property in Europe. Such persons can enter through Finland, Estonia or Latvia. For residents of Kaliningrad, a route through Poland and Lithuania is possible, followed by travel through the Czech Republic, Austria, Slovenia, Croatia or through Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Previously, the Russians used a long but interesting route through Finland: they could take a ferry in Helsinki and get off in Lübeck, Germany, passing through a large part of Europe. However, this route is currently unavailable due to border closures.
It is important to remember that entry into Europe by car with Russian license plates is prohibited. If your car is registered outside the Russian Federation and you are already in Europe, you can freely travel along the routes described above.
For residents of southern Russia, there is an alternative route through Georgia or Azerbaijan. The route runs through Turkey, Greece and Albania. Russian and Turkish authorities are planning to soon open a ferry service between Sochi and Trabzon, which could become a convenient way to travel to Montenegro by car from Russia.
Traveling by car provides a unique opportunity to see many beautiful cities and landscapes. You can stretch your trip for any length of time and turn it into an unforgettable adventure. However, it is worth considering that this method requires valid visas and grounds for crossing borders. Comparing the costs of fuel, toll roads and hotel accommodations, you can come to the conclusion that flying by plane may be a more profitable and less time-consuming option.
By train
The only accessible train route to Montenegro passes through the Serbian capital, Belgrade. Since Montenegro's international rail connections are limited, travelers need to get to Serbia first. Direct flights to Belgrade are available from a variety of Russian cities, including Moscow, St. Petersburg, Sochi and Kazan.
There is a night train from Belgrade to Podgorica, which departs in the evening and arrives the next morning. This route is known as one of the most beautiful high mountain railways in Europe. However, it is worth noting that train arrival on time is rare. Delays of several hours are the norm, and sometimes they can reach 14-24 hours.
By bus
Direct bus connections to Montenegro are limited, so it is often necessary to use routes with multiple transfers. There are various bus companies in Europe offering international transportation to Montenegro. Some of them organize transfers between countries, while others offer leisure trips, but regular flight lines are rare.
The bus journey to Montenegro can be time consuming and quite tiring, but it remains one of the most affordable ways to get there in terms of cost. Bus tickets are available for purchase through the official websites of carrier companies, as well as through specialized travel portals that offer a variety of transportation options. When purchasing a ticket, it is important to check that the price includes all necessary services, such as insurance, baggage allowance and on-board meals.
Ferry service
There is no direct ferry service between Russia and Montenegro, requiring travelers to use alternative routes through other countries. You must first get to the nearest major port in Russia, and then transfer to other ferries heading to your destination through various countries.
The easiest option is often to take a cruise route, as regular ferry services between ports may be inconsistent. For example, ferry service between the Italian city of Bari and the Montenegrin city of Bar periodically opens and closes, and its availability on specific dates remains uncertain.
During the summer, small catamaran routes are available that connect the Croatian Dubrovnik with the Montenegrin cities of Kotor, Tivat and Budva, providing tourists with scenic sea routes to Montenegro.
In addition, various cruise companies offer trips around the Mediterranean, including stops in the ports of Kotor and Bar. These cruises, most often departing from Italy, offer a unique opportunity to experience the beauty of the coastline and visit many interesting places while sailing.
By plane
The plane is the fastest and most convenient way to get to Montenegro, which is especially important under the current restrictions.
Airports in the Montenegrin cities of Tivat and Podgorica accept flights from many cities, including Almaty, Istanbul, Antalya, Sofia, Stockholm, Tirana, Belgrade, Yerevan, Rome, Milan, Vienna, Berlin, London, Tel Aviv, Baku, Kuwait, Helsinki, Tallinn and Riga. However, most of these flights operate primarily during the summer season.
The main connecting points for flights to Montenegro are Istanbul and Belgrade. Various airlines regularly fly to these cities, including both large and low-cost carriers, which is also used by Russian travelers for onward flights to Montenegro.
Flights to Belgrade depart from cities such as Moscow, St. Petersburg and Sochi. In summer, planes fly from Belgrade to Tivat and Podgorica from three to seven times a day, and in the off-season the frequency of flights decreases to several times a day. The most economical flight options to Belgrade are offered from Kazan and Sochi - ticket prices here are several times lower than from Moscow or St. Petersburg.
Flights to Istanbul are available from Moscow, St. Petersburg, Novosibirsk, Sochi, Kaliningrad and Kazan. Turkish Airways operates through the new Istanbul Airport, and Pegasus Airlines operates through Sabiha Gokcen Airport. In addition, airlines such as Red Wings, Pobeda, Rossiya, Azimut and Aeroflot fly between Russia and Turkey. Out of season, you can find tickets from Moscow at prices ranging from 8-10 thousand rubles per flight or even cheaper.
In the 2023 season, a flight via Kuwait has become a particularly exotic way to get to Montenegro. Jazeera Airways launched a flight to Tivat, which operated until the beginning of October. It is possible that this route will resume in 2024, and planes will depart twice a week.
When choosing a flight method to Montenegro, you should take into account both preferences and possibilities in order to organize your trip as comfortably and profitably as possible.